Intro:Transition: with all of that in mind, what does wish us to pull from that model to achieve similar success in the home?I Tim.3: 1-16.

Observe the context around which Paul’s instruction for church leadership comes. Seems driven by a family model where there is order, interaction, authority, and priorities– all within an environment of love, expectation of fellowship, and stability.

God has taken the family unit and said, this is an apt model for caring for the family that is my church.

Acts 2:42WHAT MAKES FAMILY SO ATTRACTIVE?I I. A PLACE WHERE FAMILY BELONGS A family that remembers its priorities. Acts 2:42WORSHIPINSTRUCTIONPRAYERFELLOWSHIP

WHAT MAKES FAMILY SO ATTRACTIVE?

Acts 2:42III. A family where conflict is resolved not regretted.

Acts 15

Here, in this family, they embraced growth, and with growth there will be resistance as we confront the new; stretching as we embrace the different, and conflict as we embrace change inherent with fresh ideas.

Then as now, the goal is not what we like but what is conducive to growth, grace, and worship.

WHAT MAKES FAMILY SO ATTRACTIVE?

Selected V. A PLACE WITH STRONG PRINCIPLES AND CONVICTIONS TO MATCHA family with strong principles that are identified, practiced, and defended.
Convictions that wont be breached:(Acts 4;5; and preferences that are understood:

(Acts 15).
Principles of depravity, redemption, and grace, a d transformation become the framework of church life (I Tim.3:15).

Discipline that is fair, consistent and sure( Ananias).

A Constant and faithfulness that are sought after…

Issue: # Acts 11; for 9.25.11

Month/Year

Dear Mark,

The Dugger family: the fascination with the family of 22. What do you do with a family when dad loves mom, mom respects dad, and the kids find their rightful place under the authority of the parents; and find their balance and other-mindedness by realizing that the world does not revolve around them? I maintain that instead of deprivation a family where children understand their role and calling to the family unit as reaching far beyond their immediate wants generally grow up well adjusted, benevolent, and possessing a vision that exceeds themselves and extends the reach of God’s church and the Kingdom of God. A real pity is the guilt many parents feel to encircle their kids’ world with constant attention and overwhelming self interest.What is clear is that God calls the shots and this family, converses with another, likes one another, and recognizes the priorities necessary to succeed in a difficult and expensive world…This is not a family making a beeline to the welfare line.

Main Body: WHAT MAKES THIS FAMILY SO ATTRACTIVE?

II. A PLACE WHERE INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING THRIVE.A family where instruction and learning are the rule if the day.Paul’s pattern: Berea’s delightThe Christians in Berea were to be praised because their interest in the Scripture pressed them to get it right; not just in terms of the letter of the law but it’s consistent practice. They looked at the text for meaning and application/ balance and accountability, commitment and consistency; and then they followed through…

Thessalonica’s progress: was praiseworthy because they were slowly working the missionaries out of a job, creatively bringing others to Christ and bringing them into the church.

Main body/ WHAT MAKES THE FAMILY SO ATTRACTIVE?

IV. A PLACE WHERE INDIVIDUALS MATTER

A Family where the individuals matter:

Acts 6
Widows
The newborn
The aged: nothing stronger in any statement of life than how we treat those who lie defenseless in the womb and those who live just outside the grave.
In the body of Christ, individuals matter; troublesome individuals; individuals with baggage and a past; individuals who lie outside the norm of our world:(cultural, racial, economic); individuals who have lost dignity, lost independence or lost their freedom( a new friend: pastor of Ridgepoint, Moran Park… Ministry). Widows, divorcees, disenfranchised, or disabled.

Main Points/ What makes the Family so attractive?

VI. A PLACE WHERE GROWTH IS EXPECTED AND PURSUED A family where growth is expected and pursued.This is real growth that doesn’t always make it on youTube. Here’s a checklist… Over the years … Not really growing… Used to beat myself up trying to ensure everyone growing. Here’s a checklist: examine life, am I in the faith? Am I growing?

Intellectual: a church ought to give you truths to chew on whether or not you agree with it or not.

Emotional: this should be a bastion of relationships that matter… A place where our emotional needs for understanding, loneliness, and pure relationships.

Spiritual: building spiritual muscle, rather than running around like spiritual pigmies.

Numerical: a reminder that each family represents a point of contact for someone else– strength in numbers.

Done!

Main Points/ What makes the family so attractive?

VII. A PLACE WHERE ADOPTION IS CHERISHED

A family where adoption is as valued as natural birth.

Baptisms are the thing of great joy

They take us from death to life; alien to family, darkness to light, a people with no connection spiritually to a people with a marvelous heritage, namesake, and destiny.

Conclusion and Applications

VII. Open

Conclusion and APPS

We find ourselves running from the very tool we need to gather up the lost of our age… The Church is not the problem for our age but the solution and God’s best and only hope for reformation of a new people for Himself.